Within the final decade-plus, we’ve got stayed at over 65 inns close to Disneyland and Disney California. First as vacationers on journeys, then as SoCal locals desirous to subject take a look at lodging, then childeless millennial vacationers once more, and eventually as mother and father dwelling in Orange County. We’ve stayed at every part from sketchy motels to household suites to luxurious resorts.
Our expertise led us to create the excellent Anaheim Resort Opinions & Rankings again in 2015. It began as a ‘work-in-progress’ checklist based mostly on the 2 dozen inns we had stayed at then. It shortly grew through the years as we made a concerted effort to remain in and assessment inns, particularly as improvement was booming in Anaheim and new inns had been opening and others closing or being reworked.
Through the first few years, there have been a number of completely different #1 picks. There was a time when Desert Inn, Resort Indigo, Sweet Cane Inn, Fairfield, Tropicana, and Park Vue Inn all jockeyed for high spots. And several other of these stay sentimental favorites from a bygone period of Disneyland visits. Nevertheless, our high choice has remained unchanged since Fall 2017: Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn.
Quite a bit has occurred within the final ~7 years. (Understatement of the century.) That’s doubly true in terms of inns close to Disneyland. With out really counting, I’d hazard a guess that at the least two-dozen model new inns have opened in Anaheim throughout that timeframe, together with a few luxurious heavy-hitters and at the least a half-dozen household suites inside strolling distance. Numerous different inns have been reworked with a view to preserve tempo with the evolving lodge scene and visitor expectations.
For higher or worse, the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn has not modified in significant methods within the final ~7 years. The rooms had been lately renovated after we final stayed there. They continue to be the identical to this present day, however at the moment are not-so-recently renovated. The constructing continues to be outdated and the Finest Western continues to be very a lot a roadside motel-style property. That’s the “for worse” half.
The “for higher” factor is that the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn has not moved. I imply, I assume technically it has. Due to tectonic shift or no matter, Anaheim will finally fall into the Pacific Ocean over a protracted sufficient timeline. However you realize what I imply. This Finest Western is the closest lodge to Disneyland, instantly throughout the road from the parks. It’s nearer to Walt Disney’s authentic Magic Kingdom than Grand Californian, Disneyland Resort, or Pixar Place Resort.
That location was the first foundation for our #1 rating and it stays unchanged. Even when the lodge has shifted by a pair inches since we final reviewed it, the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn continues to be the closest lodge to Disneyland. However, we’re within the technique of revisiting and refreshing lodge evaluations, and thought it smart to check-in on the Finest Western once more to see if our sentiment has modified after 7 years of further lodge stays elsewhere in Anaheim. Therefore this publish.
The proximity promoting level of the Finest Western can’t be overstated. The lodge is actually on the Disneyland pedestrian intersection. You’re beneath 60 seconds (relying upon the site visitors mild) from lodge to the Disneyland Resort gateway and being enveloped within the cheery Esplanade background music loop.
From room door to park turnstile, the Finest Western is, on the very most, a ten minute stroll. It’s the next-best factor to really staying on-site, and also you may even argue that it’s higher than being on-site on the Disneyland Resort or Pixar Place Resort, because it’s nearer to each parks than each of these. As with Park Vue Inn, it’s principally simply crossing the intersection and also you’re there.
In our Park Vue Inn Evaluate, we famous that whether or not it or Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn is a shorter stroll to Disneyland actually relies upon upon your room. The inns themselves are practically equidistant to the principle entrance. Actually, although, we’re speaking a few distinction of a dozen steps or so. Each inns are instantly throughout the road, and each are fairly evenly matched.
These aren’t the one two inns on this cluster throughout the road–simply the 2 closest to Disneyland. Others embody all the following:
- Finest Western Anaheim Plus Inn (a unique Finest Western)
- Camelot Inn & Suites
- Del Sol Inn
- Anaheim Desert Inn
- Tropicana Inn
- Fairfield by Marriott
- Grand Legacy on the Park
Other than their proximity to the parks, essentially the most notable factor about each entry on this checklist is that they’re typically the identical sort of motel-style properties. Positive, some have been refreshed or renamed over the past decade, however they’re all basically nonetheless the identical.
They’re additionally distinct from the newer technology of Anaheim inns, all of which might surpass something on the above checklist in terms of visitor rooms and facilities. The distinction is the placement. These have it, these newer inns don’t. That’s most likely additionally why the hoteliers working the above properties as disinclined to raze and exchange. They don’t want to–the placement sells itself.
Let’s flip to the rooms on the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn to see in the event that they’re nonetheless as much as snuff…
Realizing that nothing had really modified concerning the lodge, we opted to modify issues up with this keep by choosing the Mini-Suite with 2 Queens and Couch Mattress. That is the biggest room sort on the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn, and the one possibility able to sleeping 6 individuals.
Our considering was that perhaps this could bridge the hole between a typical lodge room on the Finest Western and the spacious household suites which can be accessible farther down the street from Disneyland.
It actually doesn’t. At the very least, not in our opinion.
These bigger mini-suites on the Finest Western do present a little bit of respiration room as in comparison with normal rooms, and clearly there’s the distinction of with the ability to sleep 6 versus 2-4 company. So strictly from a capability perspective, they’re an improve.
That’s undeniably true when you’ve got a bigger household that may’t do a typical room and will solely use this as a ‘crash pad’ and aren’t involved about spaciousness. That would be the perspective of many households visiting Disneyland, and for that demo, these rooms are a win!
We hear from many households of 5, upset by the dearth of choices throughout the road from Disneyland. The mini-suites on the Finest Western are nice for them. They’re additionally good for folks plus a grandparent, and a toddler or two. (Our precise state of affairs–besides child didn’t want her personal mattress!) I’m certain there are different events of 3-4 who would like the 3-bed setup. So we’re not dismissive of this configuration–it’s a superb one which makes the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn viable for a lot of events!
What we’re merely saying is that it doesn’t bridge the hole between the outdated motel type and the brand new household suite type that’s proliferated in Anaheim.
These new rooms often have separate sleeping and dwelling areas (and generally kitchens). There’s typically, however not at all times, a wall and door between the dwelling and bed room. This makes it simpler for placing children to mattress whereas mother and father keep up and decompress, do grownup actions, and whatnot.
I most likely don’t want to elucidate this–the images ought to converse for themselves–however that’s not potential on the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn. The little quarter wall factor (with the cut-through) simply doesn’t lower it for subdividing the area. Everybody goes to mattress on the similar time, and fascinating in the identical family-friendly actions. Right here’s a video room tour to higher present you across the area:
Past that, the rooms at Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn are superb. Now not “newly” renovated, they’re undoubtedly displaying their age as in comparison with the brand-new inns which have been constructed within the years since we final stayed right here. It very a lot has the look of an older motel attempting to remain “modern.”
This isn’t to say there’s something unhealthy concerning the rooms. On the contrary, there are little touches all through the room, from the carpet to the work to the headboards. Equally as essential, we discovered the lodge room to be clear and well-maintained. It additionally doesn’t odor prefer it was freshly carpet-bombed with Febreeze or used copious quantities of cleaner to masks years of decay.
You may giggle, however in staying at 65+ Anaheim inns, we’ve seen belongings you individuals wouldn’t imagine. The Finest Western aspires to be one thing extra and makes an effort. It doesn’t simply cellphone it in and relaxation on its laurels of being the closest lodge to Disneyland.
Circling again to the fundamentals, these mini-suite rooms on the Finest Western characteristic two queen beds and queen couch sleeper provides a flat display screen TV, alarm clock/radio, microwave, mini fridge, espresso maker, iron/board and hairdryer.
The queen beds are plush and cozy. The sheets and pillows likewise felt top quality. The couch sleeper is a unique story, however I believe that’s to be anticipated. Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn will get excessive marks when it comes to the room consolation.
Having a Keurig, even of the knockoff selection, can also be good. Lots of the motels within the space have actually unhealthy and low cost espresso makers, and essentially the most repulsive espresso conceivable. Not that “Donut Store” is the top of small-batch, sustainably grown, artisan espresso roasters…however at the least it’s not terrible.
A mini-fridge can also be good. It’s simple to get groceries close to Disneyland or you may–and I’m not condoning this–seize an additional yogurt or different merchandise from the free breakfast and stash that within the fridge for a noon or late evening snack. Going again to the room all through the day is simple because you’re so near Disneyland.
Then there are the loos, that are a weak point and really related amongst all Anaheim motels. As I’ve written earlier than, I may use a single inventory picture for 75% of the inns in Anaheim, and nobody would ever know the distinction.
There’s nothing essentially unsuitable with any of those loos…there’s simply nothing proper about them, both. They’re all persistently undersized and underwhelming.
Though it’s hardly a purposeful design characteristic (since they’re all this manner, no matter measurement), the one good factor I’ll say about these loos is that the bathe/bathtub and bathroom are separate from the sink and mirror.
In the event you’re in a room that sleeps 6 and are coming near maxing out that capability, having separate areas for a number of individuals to prepare concurrently might be a superb factor. Which can also be why it’d be good if that wall separating the beds from the sofa had been a bit extra wall-ish.
Maybe the largest change since our final keep on the Finest Western isn’t the lodge itself, however that Captain Kidd’s has been changed by Calaca Mamas Cantina, Anaheim’s Day of the Lifeless impressed Mexican eatery that’s family-owned and serves home made delicacies. It’s an evening and day enchancment over Captain Kidd’s, however then once more, so would’ve been an airport Sbarro. (However actually, that is significantly better.)
Talking of which, the Finest Western’s free continental breakfast is served upstairs at Calaca Mamas Cantina. It’s superb. Not so good as the formidable breakfasts on the newer household suites, however above-average by Harbor Boulevard motel continental breakfast requirements.
The pool at Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn can also be nothing particular. Swimming pools at these inns don’t actually matter to me since I by no means use them, however when you’ve got children and need to take a noon break for pool time, this can go away one thing to be desired.
What I’ll say right here is that at the least the pool is flanked by the lodge buildings, which isolate it from the surface world to a point. (Nicely, till some weirdo in one of many rooms above creeps on sunbathers…) Loads of Anaheim motels have swimming pools within the parking tons and that is higher than that. Nonetheless inferior to the most suitable choice, which is rooftop pool decks.
No doubt, pricing is the largest change for the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn over the past 7 years. You used to have the ability to get rooms right here within the $150 to $200 per evening vary. That was on the upper finish of the Anaheim common, however not too unhealthy.
Now, you’ll be hard-pressed to guide the Finest Western for beneath $300 per evening. Costs have exploded all through Anaheim, besides, that is above pattern. Greater than the rest, that is what offers us pause in maintaining the Finest Western within the #1 spot, particularly as its competitors has not elevated this a lot in worth. (Click on right here to test Get Away At this time for present offers on the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn and evaluate its pricing to different inns close to Disneyland.)
As with most different inns in Anaheim, you’ll additionally now pay for parking. That’s a double-whammy that makes the Finest Western way more of a tricky promote.
In the end, the query is whether or not the ‘closest lodge to Disneyland’ can overcome the upper worth level and the development of over a dozen new inns that do every part higher than the outdated roadside motels on Harbor Boulevard. That’s virtually not possible to reply. Ask me very first thing within the morning after we’re stuffed with vitality and have points strolling a couple of blocks, and I’m most likely saying no. After we’re overdue for nap time or on the finish of a really lengthy day when each step counts, I’m saying sure–indisputably.
One factor we’ve discovered through the years of doing this and receiving reader suggestions is that proximity to the parks is paramount. Extra of you care about location than another single high quality–most likely than every part else mixed. Clearly, no recommendation is one-size-fits-all, and your get together might prioritize in another way and never care as a lot about location. By which case, the Finest Western just isn’t going to be the #1 lodge close to Disneyland for you. Heck, it most likely wouldn’t be high 20!
For a lot of (most!) different Disneyland guests, being instantly throughout the road is a large benefit for Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn. This makes it simple for a noon nap, pool break, going again for snacks, and even grabbing my tripod and different lenses. The time spent leaving and returning to Disneyland or DCA is minimal from the Finest Western, whereas the inns previous the Harbor/Katella intersection are way more of a trouble.
Whereas we nonetheless need to revisit a couple of of the opposite inns on Harbor, the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn stays our #1 decide and suggestion for now. That’s the case for many who closely weigh proximity to the parks. It nonetheless strikes one of the best stability of location, room high quality, and facilities. Whether or not that is still the case relies upon upon costs and up to date rooms (or not) elsewhere.
Any of the above motels on that bullet-point checklist close to the highest may declare the #1 spot in the event that they’ve redone the rooms and cost extra affordable charges. (Tropicana Inn instantly involves thoughts as a powerful contender for the throne.) Within the meantime, the Finest Western Plus Park Place Inn continues to be the proper place to remain for a park-centric trip, particularly one that’s prone to embody noon breaks, or for many who need to save their toes. You simply could be overpaying for saving a couple of steps and staying on the closest lodge to Disneyland.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site inns in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
Have you ever stayed on the Finest Western Park Place Inn? What did you consider the placement, rooms, and facilities? Assume it’s the #1 lodge close to Disneyland when closely weighting the rankings for location? Does proximity to the parks overcome the astronomical worth for what’s principally a glorified roadside motel? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of this lodge? Any questions? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas or questions under within the feedback!
